2024 UFL: Week 3 Recap and Highlights

After a hiatus last week, we’re back with another recap of the 2024 United Football League season.

The weekend left us with just one undefeated team while two others are still yet to find the win column. Things are starting to take shape for Spring football, but there’s plenty more to come…

Let’s see what UFL Week 3 had in store.

D.C. Defenders 29 - 28 Arlington Renegades

The first game of the weekend did not disappoint, multiple lead changes, last minute comebacks and a walk-off win.

The Defenders spent the better part of four quarters trailing to the Renegades and although it appeared to be out of their hands, we’re quickly learning that anything can happen in the UFL.

Besides some of the best tricks plays on crucial downs…

…the UFL is consistently providing nail-biting finishes and this matchup was no different.

Facing a 10-point deficit with 54 seconds left, D.C. found the end zone and converted from 5-yards out to make it a 2 point game. They then completed the treacherous 4th&12 to keep their hopes alive and Matt McCrane lined up to kick a game-winning 49-yard field goal as time expired.

Birmingham Stallions 33 - 14 Memphis Showboats

The most dominant team in the 2023 USFL season is now steamrolling its way through the new league.

After kicking things off with back to back victories over the Renegades and Panthers, the Stallions continued their winning ways in Week 3.

In his first ever UFL start, Birmingham quarterback Adrian Martinez provided an early lead over the Showboats and never took his foot off the gas. Martinez earned player of the game after producing the best QB statline we’ve seen since the merger - 18 of 28 for 344 yards and 3 touchdowns.

The Showboats showed flashes of talent, with a forced fumble turnover and a 23-yard touchdown throw. But the scales tipped heavily in Birmingham's favour last weekend, and with their current form, it may continue that way. Especially with their defense finding the scoreboard too.

Michigan Panthers 34 - 20 Houston Roughnecks

The Renegades aren’t the only team struggling in Texas, as the Roughnecks are also yet to know victory in the UFL. They headed to Ford Field on Sunday with hopes of turning things around, but they left with yet another loss on their record.

Houston went into the half trailing by just one point, but struggled to stay competitive through all four quarters. After the break, Michigan QB E.J. Perry completely took over - throwing one touchdown pass and rushing for two more - putting 22 points on the board in the third quarter alone.

Houston’s first touchdown came at the top of the fourth, when Reid Sinnett was able to connect with Justin Hall for the score. But it was only made possible by a 33-yard run on fourth down delivered by Emmanuel Butler.

It’s clear that there’s talent on the Roughnecks roster but consistency is costing them. Next week, they’ll take on the Renegades and we’ll have one winless team left in the rankings.

St. Louis Battlehawks 31 - 24 San Antonio Brahmas

The Battlehawks came out firing on all cylinders this weekend - with two trips to the end zone on their first two drives - and also finished strong with a fourth quarter score to land a 13-point lead.

San Antonio was left hoping for another miracle comeback, and they’re no stranger to it. We’d already seen two thrillers from the Brahmas in the first two weeks of Spring Ball, but this time, St. Louis was prepared and managed to hold off a fourth quarter rally to secure the win.

That didn’t stop quarterback Chase Garbers from keeping every fan on the edge of their seat. He orchestrated a 60-yard drive that took more than 6 minutes off the clock in the fourth and made the score 31-24.

After forcing a punt, the Brahmas had the game in their hands. Garbers quickly moved the chains into Battlehawks territory and looked poised for another comeback victory. But a failed fourth down pass intended for Jontre’ Kirklin secured their first loss of the year.

Join us next Tuesday as we recap what the UFL had in store for Week 4.

(Header Image Credit: Jerome Miron - USA TODAY Sports)